Insider Tips

How to Get There: Our favourite way of getting to Hong Kong Disneyland is via the MTR – simply board the Disneyland Resort Line at Sunny Bay Station. The trains run every few minutes and are kitted out in Disney regalia down to the Mickey Mouse hand holders, so it really feels like part of the experience. The Star Ferry runs to Disneyland from Tsim Sha Tsui once a day, and a number of bus routes will take you there directly.

When to Go: Try to avoid visiting during peak times – weekends, public holidays (especially major holiday periods on the Chinese mainland) and school holidays. Arrive for the park’s opening time (10am) to beat the crowds, which tend to build up throughout the day.

Buying Tickets: Avoid long queues at the park entrance by buying your tickets in advance online. It’s worth comparing the offers available on Disneyland’s website with those available through Klook, which usually has discounted tickets. If you’re planning on becoming a repeat visitor, opt for an Annual Pass to get the best value. Want to make the day really special? Splash out on an exclusive guided tour, which comes with perks like direct entrance to attractions, priority show seating and restaurant reservations.

Planning Your Day: Download the Hong Kong Disneyland app, which shows real-time waits for all the rides. There’s also a map for navigating your way round the park, performance times for all the shows, and schedules and locations where you can meet characters for photo opportunities. If you prefer, you can pick up physical copies of the map and daily schedule when you enter the park instead.

Beating the Queues: Pick up FASTPASS tickets for Hyperspace Mountain and The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh from designated machines nearby. Available at no extra cost, these give you a time to come back, when you’ll be able to join the much shorter FASTPASS queue to board the ride. Another pro tip: hit the rides during the parades, which the majority of guests will be busy watching.

Shopping for Souvenirs: Hong Kong Disneyland features almost as many shops as attractions, mostly along Main Street USA. However, it’s worth remembering that each land has its own souvenirs, including Marvel goodies at Tomorrowland’s Expo Shop, princess-themed gear at Fantasyland’s Storybook Shoppe, and all the themed boutiques within the hotels. So if you spot something you like, it’s better to buy there and then, it in case it’s not available elsewhere.

Exploring the Scenic Surroundings: One of Disneyland’s best-kept secrets is Inspiration Lake, which is a 15-minute walk from the main park. This scenic area is free to all – no park ticket or hotel reservation required – and features a 12-hectare lake complete with a cascading fountain, glorious mountain views, an arboretum, boat and bike rentals and plenty of green space for picnics.

Hero image credit: Hong Kong Disneyland